Can I return back to the original airport if my valuable item is going to be confiscated in airport security?
If some of my items are confiscated in airport security and it is too valuable for me, can I decide NOT to enter the country and return back to the leaving country?
I had my toothpaste confiscated at Beijing Airport (transfer). While I let it passed, I'm worried if some of my valuable items were confiscated, such as multiple computers or walkmans, or more unusual items (e.g. sex object).
Although I should check it out before leaving, I'm sure airport security officers don't make a coherent decision, as my hand cream was not confiscated at the same time and in another time my toothpaste was not confiscated.
I also fear the misunderstanding by an airport security officer, which may or may not happen.
In these cases can I return back? If I can go back to the original country, is it I or the airline that takes the charge of the ticket? What kind of steps should I take?
Best Answer
There are a few variables here:
If the item is forbidden, it will simply be confiscated and you are not allowed to have it back; as it is most likely destroyed. There is no recourse here.
If the item is restricted then it will be held for you, pending any paperwork or other requirements. For example, if you owe duty or taxes on an item, it is confiscated and held, until you can pay the fines. Or if you need a special permit - the item is again confiscated but held until you can provide such permits.
If the item is not acceptable for carriage, then it is simply returned to you; if you are no longer going to be taking the flight. In this case, the item is not illegal or forbidden, it is just not acceptable for carriage; possibly because it requires special handling or equipment.
If the item not illegal or forbidden, but is not allowed on board the aircraft - then it is confiscated. If you want to continue your journey, then the item is forfeit and it is then destroyed or otherwise disposed of by the agency that confiscated it. Sometimes, you may be given back the item if its something that cannot be in your carry-on luggage, but it is okay in checked luggage - you may be given the opportunity to check it in.
If you believe an item was stolen from your luggage; your only recourse is travel insurance.
If your bags are opened by customs, it is usually marked as such. If an item was removed by customs officials (these are the ones that are responsible for checking goods crossing the borders) you can take lodge a complaint with the respected agency. They may have already destroyed the item (depending on what it is and the nature of the threat posed by it).
In transit, your goods are also subject to inspection and it may be that the item is removed by the transit authority or is otherwise blocked or restricted. This is rare, but does happen.
In all these cases, you are responsible for your return ticket and all expenses associated with it.
To minimize your grief:
Always keep valuable with you on your person.
It is your responsibility to know the rules and limits for your journey. The airline is there to merely inform you, they are not the enforcing agency and they are not responsible if goods are confiscated from you.
Travel insurance is really handy in case of loss or damage during travel. It can be purchased separately, but it may also be available to you if you purchased your ticket using a credit card.
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What happens to the TSA confiscated items?
TSA makes every effort to reunite passengers with items left behind at the airport checkpoint. Lost and found items retained by TSA for a minimum of thirty (30) days, and if not claimed, are either destroyed, turned over to a state agency for surplus property, or sold by TSA as excess property.Can you go back through security at airport?
Yes, you can leave the airport during domestic layovers. For instance, if you're a US citizen and have a layover within the country, it is legal and safe to leave the airport. Be aware that you'll probably be getting two boarding passes if the domestic layover is more than an hour.Can TSA remove items from luggage?
Please note however that even if an item is generally allowed, our officers make the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint. Books often require additional screening. The TSA officer may ask you to remove them from your carrying case to conduct a physical inspection.Can you get confiscated items back from airport in India?
The paramilitary force evaluates these items after seizure and bona-fide owners can claim the same back from the airport operator's desk after checking the list of recovered items on the website of the force at http://www.cisf.gov.in.History of Airport Security - Behind the News
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Answer 2
If you can back down from the security checkpoint, and go back in the airport, you can try to mail the object to yourself, if there is a post office.
This requires going through immigration in some cases to get to the public part of the airport, which possibly requires a visa. It is not possible in all cases.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Artem Zhukov, Sami Aksu, Andrea Piacquadio, Artem Saranin